INDIA AND PAKISTAN:  ENSURING PEACE & AVOIDING WAR A Proposal Dark clouds of yet another war between India and Pakistan are rapidly gathering on the horizon.  Pakistani hawks are seeking an opportunity to regain the lost glory of the Mughals. Hindu hawks think they are facing another Dharamyudh, another Mahabharata. Each side wants to teach the other a lesson, once and for all. With nuclear weapons in their arsenals, this war will probably be the worst ever. Regardless of who starts it, or who wins it, not many Indians, Pakistanis or Kashmiris are likely to survive. There will be vast areas of utter desolation, from which it will take centuries to recover.  The successive governments of India and Pakistan have failed to reconcile their differences over the last 55 years. What we need now is not another war, but an  effort by the people to achieve a comprehensive, fair and just settlement of all bilateral issues between India and Pakistan. Now is the time for those who claim to aspire to peace in the region to go beyond beautiful thoughts and words.  Now is the time for action with all our strength. After the war, it will be too late. Therefore, the Association for Communal Harmony in Asia offers the following proposal, and requests your help in building a consensus among the peace loving people of and from India and Pakistan. Please circulate this document among your friends and associates. Please, send comments to Pritam Rohila, asiapeace@comcast.net The Draft of a Comprehensive Agreement Between India and Pakistan (All parties must accept all parts) 1. Creation within one year of the following five autonomous regions, with their foreign affairs to be conducted by the governments of Pakistan or India as indicated below. a. Azad Kashmir (P) b. Northern Territories (P) c. Jammu (I) d. Kashmir (I) e. Ladakh (I) 2. Creation within two years of Joint Governing Council of Jammu & Kashmir (consisting of representatives of all the five regions as well as India and Pakistan) to regulate inter-region affairs.  3. The Governing Council will develop a detailed plan for settlement of all Jammu & Kashmir related  matters, within five years. 4. Implementation of the above plan and final resolution of Kashmir issue within 10 years. Until then, acceptance of the existing Line of Control as the International Border between India and Pakistan, provided India as well as Pakistan agree to cease all hostilities effective immediately and implement the following steps governing their bilateral relationship  within one year: A. Ban all hostile activities (including propaganda) against each other by all government agencies,  B. Allow unrestricted travel between the countries, C. Grant each other the Most Favored Nation status , and  D. Sign a No war/Friendship pact. Return to Asiapeace.org Posted 25 May 2002 Last revised 25 May 2002 Copyright © 2000-2002 Ingrid H. Shafer